Google acknowledges receipt of FTC subpoena

Google acknowledged that it received a subpoena from the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday, in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission today, confirming a report in the Wall Street Journal.

“On June 23, 2011, Google Inc. received a subpoena and a notice of civil investigative demand from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission relating to a review by the FTC of Google’s business practices, including search and advertising,” the company said in the filing. “Google is cooperating with the FTC on this investigation.”

Google provided a more detailed response on its corporate blog this morning:

It’s still unclear exactly what the FTC’s concerns are, but we’re clear about where we stand. Since the beginning, we have been guided by the idea that, if we focus on the user, all else will follow.

No matter what you’re looking for — buying a movie ticket, finding the best burger nearby, or watching a royal wedding — we want to get you the information you want as quickly as possible. Sometimes the best result is a link to another website. Other times it’s a news article, sports score, stock quote, a video or a map.